Cultivating life beneath the surface of plant systems

Our research focuses on the belowground ecology and management of plants in urban, agricultural, and restored ecosystems. We are examining the underlying microbial-based mediation of plant traits that impact ecosystem function.

We are broadly interested in three areas of research:

• Selection of rhizosphere microbiomes that modulate plant traits
• Identifying functional roles of microbiomes that mediate plant growth
• Assembly of plant-microbial communities that enhance ecosystem services

Learn more about the Kao-Kniffin Lab:

• Ecosystems of Plant Roots and Soils - Jenny Kao-Kniffin applies evolutionary methods to constructing plants’ soil microbiome—to control weeds, yield more seeds—increasing crop production.
• Visit our new Kao-Kniffin Lab website